Bob Shryock: Dan Baker announces for Army-Navy games, too

Dan Baker will call his 10th Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. Photo provided

When the Eagles complete their 2013-2014 season, hopefully with their first Super Bowl title secure, West Deptford resident Dan Baker will have completed 70 seasons as public address voice of the Birds and the Phillies combined.

But the busy Baker has other announcing passions, too. He will call his 10th Army-Navy football game at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, Dec. 14, 3 p.m., when the service academies meet for the 115th time.

Recruited by Larry Needle of the Philadelphia Sports Congress, Baker has become the regular Army-Navy announcer when the game is played in South Philly on a three-out-of-every-four-year cycle. The game has been played at four different venues and Baker has announced all games at The Linc.

Baker concluded his 41st season with the Phillies this fall, placing him third all-time behind Pat Pieper, who had 59 seasons with the Cubs, and Bob Sheppard, who had 56 with the Yankees.

Baker is now the longest tenured PA man in the majors.

The youngest 67-year-old in captivity, Baker’s goal is to reach 50 years with the Phils.

Dr. Brendan Rickards, a Medford resident who has taught at Gloucester County College for six years, has won one of the school’s most prestigious teaching honors.

Rickards, an associate professor of biology, is recipient of the 2013 Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching.

Funded by grants from the Lindback Foundation, the award honors teachers at 52 colleges and universities in the Abbotts Dairies five-state service area.

“Gloucester County College has a long history of teaching excellence with strong faculty leadership,” Rickards says. “It’s quite an honor to be recognized by your peers and included in such a prestigious group.”

Rickards in July became the college’s Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), challenging him to expand course curriculum and programs. His vision is to offer students and faculty numerous educational options and career choices.

“The award is a reflection of the respect his peers have for him and the quality of his work at Gloucester County College,” says President Fred Keating.

Rickards earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and his M.S. and Ph.D from Princeton.

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The West Deptford Lions Club is well known for its support of countless charitable events including sponsorship of the late-summer circus and teaching the visually impaired individuals to paint and create projects at several county facilities.

“We just completed our Thanksgiving trip and are looking forward to Christmas. But we’re coming up short with helpers this year and we could use a few extra hands to help distribute our Christmas baskets the Saturday before Christmas.

“By donating perhaps only 30 minutes, a helper could experience the thrill of seeing a child’s eyes light up upon seeing a turkey with everything that goes with a full meal.

“There’s also the appreciation the parents have knowing that they can provide a real holiday treat for their family.”

If you’d like the satisfaction of knowing you helped, call 856-686-0430.